Kristin Lavransdatter

At the convent, Kristin is welcomed by the Abbess, Groa Guttormsdatter. During a sermon, Kristin is enthralled and frightened by the story of a girl named Theodora who supposedly dishonored her parents and was sent to live in a brothel as punishment. She is “reminded of her encounter with Bentein” (104).

When leopards escape from a market in Oslo, Kristin and Ingebørg (her friend at the convent) run into the woods. The two girls meet a group of Germans, who they hope will be able to guide them back to the town. Instead, the Germans try to rob the girls. Just as the matter is becoming very serious, a knight named Erlend Nikulaussøn appears alongside two other men. The robbers are discouraged and the girls are escorted back to the town. Kristin thinks about Erlend, wondering how Fru Aashild’s nephew happened to run into her.

Kristin discovers that Erlend has asked people where to find her. She meets him at a feast being held to honor St. Margareta, where Erlend admits to her that he has been “excommunicated” (126) from the church. He does not tell her why. Later that evening, Kristin and Erlend kiss. Kristin falls asleep in Erlend’s lap as they declare their love for one another.